Marco's latest vintage marvel....

[kininigin]

The original stylus is, sonically, a rather more refined beast (DSJR was correct in that respect - nice one, Dave!) than the modern replacement I had been using. It's not a 'night & day' difference, as one would expect, but it does raise the bar to a higher level again by tidying up a slight raggedness and adding a soupçon of 'polish' and refinement, giving upper frequencies a 'creamier' quality, without the loss of any definition or sparkle.

Bass, interestingly, goes even deeper now (not that it was lacking in any way before), but it hits harder and yet still has that infectious bouncy and rhythmic quality to it, which is really addictive, and that I associate in particular with the DL-103, when optimally partnered and set-up. Detail retrieval has also gone up a notch or two.

noticed this thread a few days ago and after marco's description of the cart,i thought i would give it a try as im looking for a new cart and this could possibly fit the bill and for a cheap price.

I have obtained a G800 cart,cost £11,but cannot find any nos styli,and the one that came with it must be worn as the HF sound really bad and can take the fillings out your teeth.

Anyone know where i can obtain a nos or should i just get the modern replacement?

[Marco]

Hi Darren,

I'd just go for one of these, until a NOS stylus pops up: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stylus-Goldrin...item45f9fd3918

What headshell are you using with the G800 - just the stock Jelco one? If so, you'll need to add some more mass

Marco.

[spendorman]

When I started selling hifi, the bog-standard cheap as chips system was Garrard SP25, Goldring G800, Amstrad 8000 and Wharfedale Dentons. All items equally "cheap and cheerful"!

SP25 with G800 in my loft. In fact there may be several SP25's

[spendorman]

Agreed! I have a B&O 1700 tuner, bought purely for it's looks. Not only does it look gorgeous but it sounds very good as well; somewhere between a Leak Troughline and a Quad FM3, so no slouch!

The matching amp, Beolab 1700 is very nice too, not a powerhouse, but great sounding. I read a review of that today. I won't say where!

[DSJR]

I remember the 'lab 1700 fondly too, as well as the tuner. These may well take a temporary hike in price now we've mentioned them, so look out for the receiver (I forget which one but it's black fronted in identical styling) as it will be ignored. Use the tape output for the tuner and obviously the amp inputs are there with easy 4 Ohm load driving ability. low power is it's only downfall today, plus suspect capacitors. the output stage was easily blown as well I remember.

[spendorman]

I remember the 'lab 1700 fondly too, as well as the tuner. These may well take a temporary hike in price now we've mentioned them, so look out for the receiver (I forget which one but it's black fronted in identical styling) as it will be ignored. Use the tape output for the tuner and obviously the amp inputs are there with easy 4 Ohm load driving ability. low power is it's only downfall today, plus suspect capacitors. the output stage was easily blown as well I remember.

I have two Beolab 1700's, In this room (which is not small) it still drives LS3/5a fine.

The output capacitors of one amp are bulging, in the process of replacing them.

The other 1700, at some stage has had two output devices replaced in the past. I believe that they are power Darlington's.

[DSJR]

They are We did loads, usually in the music centre which used much the same amp, but I forget the numbers now.

[spendorman]

They are We did loads, usually in the music centre which used much the same amp, but I forget the numbers now.

Me too, but inside each Beomaster 1700 and Beolab 1700 is a small envelope, with a circuit diagram in it. A nice touch.

[MartinT]

I give you the old BBC war horse: the Goldring G800, purloined from eBay for the grand total of £3.70 (exc stylus)....

Nice one, Marco. That was my very first cartridge, running on a Connoisseur BD-1 with SME3009-II. It did me well but then I stupidly swapped it for a Shure M55E, which I thought was not as musical.

[DSJR]

Should have bought the Super-E stylus